PCC issues statement of support for White Ribbon Day
Ahead of White Ribbon Day on Saturday, 25 November, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, has released a statement of support.
White Ribbon Day is an annual awareness day that seeks to encourage men to challenge and change the behaviours and culture that engenders violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: “I am pleased to be supporting White Ribbon Day. Crimes such as domestic abuse, rape and sexual violence, stalking and harassment, so-called honour-based abuse and digital crimes like revenge porn disproportionately affect women and girls. They are devastating for victims and can cause long-term physical, emotional and psychological harm.
“It is vital that we work to improve the safety of women and girls by effectively targeting perpetrators, improving outcomes in court and preventing VAWG from happening in the first place by tackling the behaviours that engender violence against women and girls.
“Together with partners and Thames Valley Police, we continue to do important work in this area. Thames Valley Police’s Project Vigilant is actively seeking to prevent sexual violence in the night-time economy by spotting and disrupting predatory behaviour while a recent funding award from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund will support interventions to tackle VAWG in High Wycombe, Slough and Oxford.
“In addition, my office has successfully secured £2.8 million from the Home Office’s ‘Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Interventions Fund’ for two projects aimed at reducing domestic abuse and stalking and has established a specialist service to support victims of stalking while my Do the Right Thing campaign continues to encourage men to call out abusive behaviour and sexual harassment when they witness it.
“My Victims First service is also doing critical work supporting victims of all types of VAWG. I know it can be difficult for victims of these crimes to reach out for help but this White Ribbon Day I urge anyone needing support to contact Victims First on 0300 1234 148.
“Our dedicated team will listen to you respectfully and sensitively. Help is free and can be accessed regardless of when the crime took place or if it was reported to the police.”
